Fund-fit assessment
£120–£180
An assessment of one named fund before you invest in applying.
- Eligibility and alignment with the fund’s priorities
- Apply / do-not-apply recommendation, with gaps and next steps
Trust Fundraising & Bid-Writing Support
Support at the point you need it: deciding whether a fund is worth pursuing, developing your case, writing an application or improving a draft. I bring experience of trusts, foundations, National Lottery and statutory funding.
When this helps
- You have identified a fund but aren’t sure whether your project is a strong fit.
- Your team needs capacity or specialist input to prepare an application.
- You have a draft and want an experienced review before submitting.
How I work with you
I start with the funder’s criteria and your evidence, not a generic template. We agree the application, inputs, responsibilities and revision stages before work begins. The aim is a convincing, realistic proposal that your charity can stand behind.
Options & typical fees
Commission the support you need. We agree the scope, deliverables and fee before work begins.
Funding readiness review
£300–£600
Check whether the evidence and information needed for an approach are in place.
- Project information, budgets and supporting documents
- Evidence, delivery capacity and practical gaps
Funder research and funding pipeline
£450–£900
A prioritised list researched to an agreed brief.
- Eligibility, fit, award sizes and deadlines
- Suggested sequence and application timetable
Case for support
£600–£1,200
A reusable narrative that makes your need, work and intended difference clear.
- Beneficiaries, need and evidence
- Activities, outcomes and funding ask
Grant application / bid writing
£450–£750 straightforward · £900–£1,800 substantial
Drafting for one defined application, with agreed evidence inputs and revisions.
- A funder-specific narrative
- Coordination of agreed supporting information
- Drafting and review stages
Major and Statutory Applications
£1,800–£4,500
A defined complex bid with a coordinated application process.
- Delivery plans and supporting narratives
- Budget alignment and colleague or partner coordination
- Agreed drafting and revision stages
Application review and editing
£180–£300 standard · £400–£750 complex
An independent assessment of an existing draft against the criteria.
- Prioritised feedback on fit, evidence and clarity
- Agreed editing or improvement recommendations
Project budgets and full-cost funding plans
£300–£750
A realistic budget that matches the work you are proposing.
- Delivery, staffing and relevant overhead contributions
- Clear assumptions and alignment with the narrative
Timescale & next steps
Deadlines and your readiness determine the schedule. Please get in touch before commissioning urgent work.
Tell me what you need, your timetable and any budget you are working within. I’ll confirm availability and propose a clear scope and fee.
Funding decisions remain with the funder; no consultant can guarantee an award. Large bids and work outside the agreed brief are quoted separately.
Client perspectives
What it’s like to work together
“From the initial call with Sophie, I felt that she really cared about our cause, and made the process seamless. There were different options for us to choose in terms of levels of support (no pressure and our budget was taken into consideration).”
Co-Founder, Peeps
“Sophie is absolutely superb to work with. She brings depth of experience which is manifested in astute insights, together with an upbeat and highly collaborative manner and top class writing skills. We are very lucky to have her working with our charity.”
Partnerships & Development Director, Future First